Flexible intramedullary rod

ABSTRACT

An elongated rod for insertion into a bowed canal of a bone such as a femoral medulla of a femur bone, wherein the canal is bowed in one plane. The rod has a longitudinal axis disposed on a first plane and one or more cutouts formed in at least a portion of a length of the rod and on opposite sides of the first plane. The rod is flexible along a second plane which is co-planar with the bowed canal plane and which is disposed on the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the first plane.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Joint replacement surgery (arthroplasty) is often performed on the knee.In a total knee arthroplasty (TKA), the diseased cartilage surfaces ofthe thighbone (femur), the shinbone (tibia) and the kneecap (patella)are replaced by prosthetic components. Most of the other structures ofthe knee, such as the connecting ligaments, remain intact. This surgicalprocedure requires alignment of the femoral and tibial components to avertical or mechanical axis of the limb. The procedure also requiresenlarging the canal in the femur called a femoral medulla as well asenlarging the canal in the tibia called the tibial medulla. When thefemoral and tibia bones are fully extended (i.e., the knee joint is inextension), a proximal-distal axis drawn through the center of a femoralhead (proximal femur) passes through the knee joint in a healthy kneeand along the tibial canal to the ankle joint. This proximal-distal axisis called the mechanical axis, and it is along this axis that a load istransmitted. However, the axis of the femoral medulla may lie at anangle of up to 7 degrees to this mechanical axis along the coronalplane. The femoral medulla has an anterior bow along a plane parallel tothe sagittal plane. The bow represents a concavity facing in theposterior direction and serves to increase the space for lodgment of thesoft tissue masses during knee flexion. Knee flexion refers to rotationof the femur with respect to the tibia. As part of a surgical procedureto replace the distal femur, a surgical device called an intramedullary(IM) rod is inserted into the femoral medulla. A cutting block is thenmounted onto the rod and placed against the distal portion of the femur.The cutting block provides cutting guide surfaces for making therequired cuts on the distal femur such as distal, posterior, anterior,posterior chamfer and anterior chamfer cuts. It is important that therod provide an accurate reference for the cutting block.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present application provides an improved intramedullary (IM) rod.The rod of the present application includes cutouts which allow the rodto flex along a plane parallel to the sagittal plane but remainrelatively rigid along the coronal plane. Thus the rod is adapted toconform to the natural anatomical bow along a plane parallel to thesagittal plane of the femoral medulla. This feature provides properorientation of the cutting block which improves the accuracy of cutssuch as the distal cut of the distal femur. This provides the properorientation of a femoral component such as a replacement knee and thusan improved knee replacement surgical procedure.

In one aspect of the present application, disclosed is a surgicalinstrument for insertion into a canal bowed in one plane. The surgicalinstrument has a longitudinal axis disposed on a first plane and one ormore cutouts formed in at least a portion of a length of the rod and onopposite sides of the first plane. The rod is flexible along a secondplane which is co-planar with the bowed canal plane and which isdisposed on the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the first plane.

In one or more embodiments, the elongated rod may be generally solid andthe rod may be substantially rigid along the first plane. The rod may becapable of resiliently flexing along the second plane in a range from aradius of about 0 to degrees to 9 degrees. The cutouts may include oneor more grooves extending along at least a portion of the longitudinalaxis and on opposite sides of the first plane. The cutouts may have agenerally flat shape extending along at least a portion of thelongitudinal axis and on opposite sides of the first plane. The cutoutsmay have a generally semi-circular cross-sectional shape along thesecond plane. The rod may have a first end adapted for insertion intothe canal of a bone and a second end adapted for attachment to a tool tosupport the rod.

In another aspect of the present application, disclosed is a method ofusing a surgical instrument using the rod as described above. In yetanother aspect of the present application, disclosed is a surgicalinstrument kit that includes a rod as described above and a tool adaptedto attach to the rod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an elevational view of a rod in accordance with anembodiment of the present application.

FIG. 2 shows a cutaway, top view of the rod of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a cutaway, close up view of the rod of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view showing the cutouts of the rod of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view taken along section line A-A of therod of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of a portion of the rod of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of a rod in accordance with another embodimentof the present application.

FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view showing the cutouts of the rod of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view taken along section line B-B of therod of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of a rod in accordance with yet anotherembodiment of the present application.

FIG. 11 shows an enlarged view showing the cutouts of the rod of FIG.10.

FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view taken along section line C-C of therod of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 shows a side view of a rod in accordance with another embodimentof the present application.

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the rod of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 shows a detailed view of a leading portion E of the rod of FIG.14.

FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional view taken along section line D-D of therod of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 shows a surgical kit in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent application.

FIG. 18 shows a view of a distal femur of a femur bone in preparationfor having an entrance hole formed thereon for a surgical procedure inaccordance with an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 19 shows another view of the femur bone of FIG. 18 with theentrance hole being formed.

FIG. 20 shows another view of the femur bone of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 shows a femoral medulla of a femur bone formed along a planeparallel to the sagittal plane.

FIG. 22 shows the bone of FIG. 21 along the coronal plane.

FIG. 23 shows the rod of the kit of FIG. 17 being inserted in the boneof FIG. 21 along a plane parallel to the sagittal plane.

FIG. 24 is a view of the bone of FIG. 23 along the coronal plane.

FIG. 25 shows a close up view of FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 shows the adjustment of the rod in the bone of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is another view of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 shows a view of the bone of FIG. 25 with a cutting blockattached to the rod.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-6 show a surgical instrument 100 in accordance with anembodiment of the present application. The surgical instrument comprisesan intramedullary (IM) rod 100 having an elongated rod body 102 forinsertion into the femoral medulla for alignment purposes during asurgical procedure such as total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The rod body102 has a longitudinal axis 104 extending through the center of the rodbody and extending along the length 106 of the rod body. Thelongitudinal axis 104 is disposed on a first plane 108 and a secondplane 110 which is perpendicular to the first plane. One or more firstcutouts 112 and second cutouts 114 are formed in at least a portion ofthe length 106 of the rod and symmetrically on opposite sides 105, 107of the first plane 108. The cutouts 112, 114 may permit the rod 100 tobe resiliently flexible along the second plane 110 and substantiallyrigid along the first plane 108.

In one embodiment, the rod 100 is configured for insertion into a bowedcanal of bone such as the femoral medulla of the femur bone of a humanbody. The first plane 108 corresponds to a frontal or coronal plane thatseparates a human body into anterior and posterior parts. The secondplane 110 corresponds to a plane parallel to the sagittal plane whichseparates a human body into left and right side parts. The top side 105of the rod corresponds to the anterior side or ventral sidecorresponding to the side closer to the anterior surface of the body.The bottom side 107 of the rod corresponds to the posterior or dorsalside corresponding to the side closer to the posterior surface of thebody. In one embodiment, the femoral medulla bows or bends along a planeparallel to the sagittal plane along an axis but remains relativelystraight along the coronal plane. The rod is configured for insertioninto the femoral medulla and for bending or conforming to the bowing ofthe femoral medulla along a plane parallel to the sagittal plane and forremaining substantially rigid along the coronal plane, as explained infurther detail below.

The rod body 102 has an insertion portion 117 at a first end 116 adaptedfor insertion into the femoral medulla through an opening at the base ofthe femur. In one embodiment, the insertion portion 117 is tapered withthe narrow portion extending away from the rod. An attachment portion119 at a second end 118 of the rod is adapted for attachment to a tool(not shown) to support the rod and to urge the rod into the femoralmedulla. In one embodiment, the attachment portion 119 has a generallyhexagonal cross-sectional shape for attachment to a matching recess of atool. The rod body 102 can be composed of stainless steel, titanium, abiocompatible material, or a combination thereof. The rod body 102 canbe a solid rod or have a hollow center.

The first cutouts 112 are shown as having a generally semi-circularshape and a concave surface 120 about the second plane. However, othershapes are contemplated such as triangular shapes and other surfacessuch as uneven surfaces. The cutouts 112 have a radius 124 of about0.095 inches. The cutouts 112 are spaced apart from each other along thelongitudinal axis 104 by a distance of about 0.750 inches between thecenters of the cutouts. The cutouts 112 are spaced apart from each otherabout both sides of the second plane 110 by a distance 130 of about 0.10inches. The second cutouts 114 are shown as grooves having a generallysquare cross-sectional shape along the longitudinal axis 104. However,it is contemplated that second cutouts 114 can have other shapes such asa triangular cross-sectional shape. The second cutouts 114 extend alongthe longitudinal axis 104 and at least a portion of the length of therod body 102. The cutouts 114 have a width of about 0.125 inches shownby arrow 128. The length 106 of the rod body 102 is about 16 inches butthe rod can have a length in the range from about 11 to 16 inches. Therod body 102 has a diameter of about 5/16 (0.0625) inches and a centralcore thickness 130 of about 0.100 inches. Other diameters arecontemplated such as ¼″ or ⅜″. It will be appreciated that other sizes,shapes and configurations are contemplated.

FIGS. 7-9 show a surgical instrument comprising an IM rod 200 having anelongated rod body 202 in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent application. The rod 200 is similar to the rod 100 of FIGS. 1-6in that both rods are configured for insertion into the femoral medulla.For example, the rod body 202 has a longitudinal axis 204 through thecenter of the rod and extending along the length of the rod. Thelongitudinal axis 204 is disposed on a first plane 208 and a secondplane 210 which is perpendicular to the first plane. The rod body 202has a first end 216 adapted for insertion into the femoral medulla and asecond end 218 adapted for attachment to a tool.

However, the rod body 202 has cutouts 214 formed at least on a portionof the length of the rod and symmetrically on opposite sides 205, 207 ofthe first plane 208, unlike the combination of cutouts 112, 114 of rod102 of FIGS. 1-2. However, like the cutouts 112, 114 of rod 102, thecutouts 214 also permit the rod 202 to be resiliently flexible along thesecond plane 210 and substantially rigid along the first plane 208. Theshape of the cutouts 214 is similar to those of the cutouts 114 of FIGS.1-6. For example, the cutouts 114 are grooves having a generally squarecross-sectional shape along the longitudinal axis 204. The cutouts 214have a width 228 of about 0.125 inches and a central core thickness 230of about 0.100 inches. The other characteristics of the rod 200 aresimilar to those of rod 100 and are not repeated for simplicity.

FIGS. 10-12 show a surgical instrument comprising a rod 300 having anelongated rod body 302 in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent application. The rod 300 is similar to the rod 100 of FIGS. 1-6in that both rods are configured for insertion into the femoral medulla.For example the rod 302 has a longitudinal axis 304 which is disposed ona first plane 308 and a second plane 310 which is perpendicular to thefirst plane. The rod 302 has a first end 316 and a second end 318.However, the rod 302 only has cutouts 315 formed in at least a portionof the length of the rod and symmetrically on opposite sides 305, 307 ofthe first plane 308, unlike the combination of cutouts 112, 114 of therod 102 of FIGS. 1-2. However, like the cutouts 112, 114 of rod 102, thecutouts 315 also permit the rod 302 to be resiliently flexible along thesecond plane 310 and substantially rigid along the first plane 308.However, the shape of the cutouts 315 is different than that of thecutouts 112, 114 of FIGS. 1-6. For example, the cutouts 315 form flatsurfaces along the longitudinal axis 304 and extend at least a portionof the length of the rod 302. The rod 302 has a central core thickness330 of about 0.100 inches. The other characteristics of the rod 300 aresimilar to those of rod 100 and are not repeated for simplicity.

FIGS. 13-16 show a surgical instrument 400 having an elongated rod body402 in accordance with another embodiment of the present application.The rod 400 is similar to the rod 100 of FIGS. 1-6 in that both rods areconfigured for insertion into the femoral medulla. For example, the rodbody 402 has a longitudinal axis 404 through the center of the rod bodyand extending along the length of the rod body. The longitudinal axis404 is disposed on a first plane 408 and a second plane 410 which isperpendicular to the first plane. The rod body 402 has a first end 416adapted for insertion into the femoral medulla and a second end 418adapted for attachment to a tool.

The rod body 402 includes first cutouts 412 formed at least on a portionof the length of the rod and symmetrically on opposite sides 405, 407 ofthe first plane 408, like the cutouts 112 of rod 102 of FIGS. 1-2.However, the rod body 402 includes two cutouts 414 on opposite sides405, 407 of the first plane, unlike a single cutout 114 of rod body ofFIGS. 1-6. For example, the cutouts 412 have a semicircular shape with acurved surface 420. In addition, the two cutouts 414 are offset fromeach other by an angle, such as 45 degrees from a center of the cutouts,unlike the cutout 114 of the rod body 102 which has a base side that isparallel to the first plane. However, like the cutouts 112, 114 of therod body 102, the cutouts 412, 414 of the rod body 402 also permit therod body 402 to be resiliently flexible along the second plane 410 andsubstantially rigid along the first plane 408. The shape of the cutouts412, 414 is similar to that of the cutouts 112, 114 of the rod of FIGS.1-6 and is not described further for simplicity. The othercharacteristics of the rod 400 are similar to those of rod 100 and arenot repeated for simplicity.

The rods of the present application can be made using well knownmetalworking techniques. For example, in one embodiment, a metal workinglathe can be used to form the cutouts of the rods. The lathe can usecomputer controlled techniques, such as computer numerically controlled(CNC) features, for increased accuracy and mass production of the rods.The lathe can be connected to a bar feeder mechanism to efficientlyhandle the rods including loading the rods onto the lathe. The lathe canalso employ “live” tooling techniques to produce the various forms ofcutouts of the rods. For example, the live tooling techniques canproduce the semi-circular type cutouts 112 and the groove type cutouts114 of the rod of FIG. 1.

FIG. 17 shows a surgical instrument kit 500 in accordance with anembodiment of the present application. The kit 500 comprises a tool 502,known as an “introducer”, capable of supporting a rod of the presentinvention, such as rod 100 of FIGS. 1-6. The tool 502 has an attachmentportion 504 for attachment to the attachment portion 119 at the distalend 118 of the rod 100. In one embodiment, the attachment portion 504can be adapted to receive the attachment portion 119 of the rod 100 toprovide a detachable locking mechanism. For example, the attachmentportion 504 of the tool 502 can include a recess with a hexagonal shapeand the attachment portion 119 of the rod 100 can have a hexagonal shapethat is complementary to the shape of the attachment portion 504 of therod. In another embodiment, the attachment portion 119 of the rod 100can be indexed with the attachment portion 504 of the tool to ensureproper alignment of the rod with the tool. This feature also may helpensure that the rod is properly aligned in the femoral medulla.

The tool 502 can also have a handle 506 for gripping the tool, rotatingthe rod, or for other purposes. In one embodiment, the handle 506 canrotate about its central axis to rotate the attached rod. In oneembodiment, the tool 502 includes a femoral alignment guide 508 coupledbetween the rod 100 and the handle 506. As explained below, the femoralalignment guide 508 helps align the rod 100 with respect to the femoralmedulla of a femur.

FIGS. 18-28 show portions of a surgical procedure that include using therod 100 of FIGS. 1-6 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentapplication. It should be understood that any of the other rods of thepresent application can be used. In one example, the surgical procedureincludes total knee arthroplasty (TKA) of the knee (i.e., kneereplacement) which involves the resection of portions of the femur andtibia using a cutting block and attachment a knee prosthesis to theresected area. Alignment of the cutting block with respect to the femuris critical to the procedure. As explained below in detail, the rod andthe techniques for using the rod of the present application may helpimprove such alignment. As explained below, the surgical procedureinvolves, generally, forming an entrance hole and a femoral medulla inthe distal femur, inserting and aligning the rod in the femoral medulla,attaching a cutting block to the rod to make cuts to the distal femur,and mounting the femoral components to the prepared distal femur.

Referring to FIG. 18, shown is a first step in the surgical procedurewhich includes forming an entrance hole 608 in a distal femur 620 of afemur bone 600. This includes locating the position of the entrance hole608 in the distal femur. In one embodiment, the entrance hole can belocated between condyles 606 and an intercondylar notch 618 of thedistal femur 620. In one embodiment, the entrance hole can be located asclose as possible to a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) (not shown). Inanother embodiment, the entrance hole can be located slightly medial, inthe direction shown by arrow 616, to a midline axis 614 of the distalfemur. Although not shown, other steps can be performed in preparationfor forming the entrance hole 608. For example, the tibia (not shown)can be resected and the patellar (not shown) can be everted to providespace for the formation of the entrance hole as well as the femoralmedulla. In addition, the identification of landmarks to help locate theposition of the entrance hole can be aided by the removal of osteophytes(not shown) from the margins of the intercondylar notch 618.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show the next step in the surgical procedure whichincludes the formation of the entrance hole 608 in the distal femur 620.Once the location has been determined of where the entrance hole 608 isto be made, as explained above, the entrance hole 608 can then beformed. This includes using a drill device 700 comprising a drill bit704 attached to a drill handle 702 (partially shown) well known in theart. Once the drill device 700 is assembled, the free end of the drill704 is placed against the distal femur at the location at which theentrance hole 608 is to be made. The femur 600 has a mechanical axis 610and an anatomical axis 604 which is offset from the mechanical axis 610by approximately 7 degrees. The drill 704 is aligned with the mechanicalaxis 610. The drill device 700 is then advanced into the location of theentrance hole 608 and manipulated to create the entrance hole 608. Asexplained below, the femoral medulla can be formed using drill device700 except with a different drill adapted to make the femoral medulla,as explained below in detail.

Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, the next step in the surgical procedureinvolves enlarging the femoral medulla 610 in the femur bone. FIG. 21shows a cutaway view of the femur bone 600 along a plane parallel to thesagittal plane and FIG. 22 shows a cutaway view of the femur bone 600along the coronal plane. The bone 600 has an anterior side 605 facingcloser to the anterior surface of a human body and a posterior side 607facing closer to a posterior surface of a human body. As explainedabove, the drill device can be used to form the entrance hole 608. Oncethe entrance hole 608 is formed, a drill (reamer) device, such as drilldevice 700 with an appropriate drill for forming the femoral medulla(FIG. 20), can be used to form femoral medulla 610. The femoral medulla610 can be formed as a canal through a portion of the interior of thebone sufficient to accommodate the length of the rod. FIG. 22 shows thebone 600 along the coronal plane with a vertical axis 604 drawnperpendicular to the distal end 620 of the femur which extends throughthe center of the bone 600 and is aligned with the center of the femoralmedulla 610. FIG. 21 shows the bone 600 along a plane parallel to thesagittal plane with the femoral medulla 610 having an anterior bonecortex 615 and a posterior bone cortex 617. The center of the femoralmedulla 610 is offset from the vertical axis 604 in a radius in therange from about 0 degrees to about 9 degrees shown by arrow 612. Inother words, the femoral medulla 610 bows or bends toward the posteriorside 607 of the bone along a plane parallel to the sagittal plane butremains relatively straight along the coronal plane. As explained below,the rod of the present invention, when inserted in the femoral medulla,conforms to the bow of the femoral medulla along a plane parallel to thesagittal plane and remains relatively straight along the coronal plane.

Turning to FIGS. 23-25, the next step in the surgical procedure involvesinserting the rod 100 into the femoral medulla 610. This includes usingthe surgical kit 500 of FIG. 17 to insert the rod 100 into the femoralmedulla 610. For example, in one embodiment, the attachment portion 119at the second end 118 of the rod 100 can be attached to the attachmentportion 504 of the tool 502. Once the tool 502 is properly attached tothe rod 100, the rod can be aligned within the femoral medulla 610 suchthat the anterior portion 105 of the rod faces the anterior bone cortex615 of the femoral medulla 610 and the posterior portion 107 of the rodfaces the posterior bone cortex 617. This alignment helps the rod to beeasily inserted into the femoral medulla with relatively littleresistance. As explained above, the rod 100 is adapted to flex along aplane parallel to the sagittal plane and conform to the bow of thefemoral medulla 610.

Once the rod 100 is aligned with the femoral medulla 610, the rod 100can be inserted into the femoral medulla 610 using the tool 502. In oneembodiment, this can be accomplished by applying a force to one end ofthe handle 506 of the tool and urging the tool 502 towards the femoralmedulla 610 thereby inserting the rod 102 into the femoral medulla. Thehandle 506 can be rotated about axis 604 to orient the rod according toa particular angle. As the rod enters the femoral medulla 610, theanterior bone cortex 615 of the femoral medulla 610 contacts theanterior portion 105 of the rod causing the rod to flex along a planeparallel to the sagittal plane and conform to the bow of the femoralmedulla 610.

Turning to FIGS. 26 and 27, the next step in the procedure involvesaligning the rod with respect to the femoral medulla 610. Referring toFIG. 26, this alignment can include adjusting the position of the rodalong a plane parallel to the sagittal plane. In one embodiment, thehandle can be rotated about the mechanical axis 604 in the directionshown by arrow 512. The handle is rotated in a manner to orientate alongitudinal axis 510 of the handle 506 with the condyles 606 such thatthe handle 506 is arranged approximately parallel to an axis 630 of thecondyles. In this regard, the handle 506 and the condyles 606 arearranged approximately perpendicular to the bow of the femoral medulla610 and parallel to the coronal plane.

The position of the rod can also be adjusted along the coronal plane, asshown in FIG. 27. In one embodiment, the rod can be adjusted toestablish an appropriate valgus/varus angle with respect to the distalfemur along the coronal plane. In one embodiment, the alignment guide508 can be used for either the left or right femur and can be set toangles between 2 and 9 degrees of the valgus. In one embodiment, theangle is set to a value between 5 and 7 degrees. The alignment guide 508is set to a particular angle by pulling back on an adjustment knob andplacing it onto an appropriate notch of the guide. The alignment guide508 can then be advanced, along with the rod which is attached thereto,slowly into in the femoral medulla until a desired depth of the femoralmedulla has been reached. This ensures that the alignment guide 508 isflush against a prominent condyle. In addition, the handle 506 can bealigned with the condyles as explained above.

Turning to FIG. 28, the next step in the surgical procedure includesmaking the cuts to the distal femur. In one embodiment, this processincludes the step of detaching the tool 502 from the rod 102 and leavingthe rod inserted in the femoral medulla 610. Once the tool has beendetached, a cutting block 700 is mounted onto the rod 102 and placedagainst the distal surface 624 of the distal femur 620. The rod 100 isoriented to provide a reference for making the cuts to the distal femur620 including the distal cut. The resection or cuts are made in a mannerto accommodate the knee prosthesis. Once the cuts are made, the kneeprosthesis (not shown) can be mounted onto the distal surface 624 of thedistal femur using conventional techniques.

In another embodiment, an IM instrumentation technique can be used fororienting femoral components in the sagittal plane. The techniqueincludes a step of forming the entrance hole 608 as close as possible toa posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) (not shown) point at the distalfemur 620 as possible. In a subsequent step, a rod such as rod 100 canbe inserted into the entrance hole 608 and into the medulla 610. Asexplained above, the rod is flexible along a plane parallel to thesagittal plane and relatively rigid in the coronal plane whichestablishes an appropriate varus/valgus angle. The rod 100 can beinserted into the hole in a manner such that it is orientated at aboutthree degrees of external rotation with respect to the alignment guide.The technique further includes a step of establishing the valgus angleand distal resection level. Once these are established, the distal cutwill be aligned properly and oriented to conform or match the sagittalbow. Once the distal cuts have been made, conventional femoralpreparation techniques can be used.

In yet another embodiment, a navigation based technique can be used fororientating femoral components in the sagittal plane. This techniqueincludes a step of using a patient's computed tomography (CT) scan datato determine an optimal sagittal orientation for the femoral component.This may include establishing an orientation of the alignment guide tobe offset at an angle with respect to the vertical or mechanical axis604 based on the CT data. In a subsequent step, the CT scan data can beused to align the alignment guide in accordance with a predefined angleand then making the distal cuts in accordance with the predefined angle.Once the distal cuts have been made, conventional femoral preparationtechniques can be employed.

The techniques of the present invention may provide various advantages.For example, in some embodiments, the configuration of the rod conformsto the bow of the femoral medulla which allows for ease of insertioninto the femoral medulla. This may permit the rod to be inserted intothe medulla without having to increase the size of the entrance holeduring the surgical procedure. In addition, the rod can be insertedwithout having to shift or enlarge the entrance hole in an anteriordirection. Moreover, the entrance hole can be drilled without having to“toggle” the drill device. Such techniques may help reduce theoccurrence of deviation of the sagittal plane alignment of the rod andthe cutting block which may help improve knee biomechanics. For example,proper orientation of the cutting block may result in correctorientation of the distal cuts, which in turn, determines theorientation of the femoral component such as a knee prosthesis. Suchtechniques may also improve collateral ligament tension through flexion.In addition, the accuracy of the sizing of the femoral component mayhelp reduce the occurrence of femoral size mismatching the tibial sizewhich may result in improved posterior femoral fit as well as flexion.Such technique may also reduce the occurrence of over-stuffing thepatella and reduce the propensity for anterior notching.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodimentsare merely illustrative of the principles and applications of thepresent invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerousmodifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that otherarrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A surgical instrument for insertion into a bowed canal of a bone, thecanal bowed in one plane, the instrument comprising: an elongated rodhaving a longitudinal axis disposed on a first plane, and one or morecutouts formed in at least a portion of a length of the rod and onopposite sides of the first plane, wherein the rod is flexible along asecond plane which is coplanar with the bowed canal plane and which isdisposed on the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the first plane.2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the elongated rod isgenerally solid.
 3. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the rodis substantially rigid along the first plane.
 4. The surgical instrumentof claim 1, wherein the rod is capable of resiliently flexing along thesecond from a radius of about 0 to degrees to 9 degrees.
 5. The surgicalinstrument of claim 1, wherein the cutouts include one or more groovesextending along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis and onopposite sides of the first plane.
 6. The surgical instrument of claim1, wherein the cutouts have a generally flat shape extending along atleast a portion of the longitudinal axis and on opposite sides of thefirst plane.
 7. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the cutoutshave a generally semi-circular cross-sectional shape along the secondplane.
 8. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the rod has afirst end adapted for insertion into the canal of a bone and a secondend adapted for attachment to a tool to support the rod.
 9. A surgicalinstrument kit comprising: an elongated rod for insertion into a bowedcanal of a bone, the canal bowed in one plane, the rod having alongitudinal axis disposed on a first plane, the rod is flexible along asecond plane which is co-planar with the bowed canal plane and which isdisposed on the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the first plane,and the rod has a first end adapted for insertion into the bowed canalof a bone and a second end adapted for attachment to a tool to supportthe rod; and a tool having an attachment portion for attachment to thesecond end of the rod.
 10. The surgical instrument kit of claim 9,wherein the elongated rod is generally solid.
 11. The surgicalinstrument kit of claim 9, wherein the rod is substantially rigid alongthe first plane.
 12. The surgical instrument kit of claim 9, wherein therod is capable of resiliently flexing along the second plane from aradius of about 0 to degrees to 9 degrees.
 13. The surgical instrumentkit of claim 9, wherein the cutouts include one or more groovesextending along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis and onopposite sides of the first plane.
 14. The surgical instrument kit ofclaim 9, wherein the cutouts have a generally flat shape extending alongat least a portion of the longitudinal axis and on opposite sides of thefirst plane.
 15. The surgical instrument kit of claim 9, wherein thecutouts have a generally semi-circular cross-sectional shape along thesecond plane.
 16. The surgical instrument kit of claim 9, wherein thetool has a handle rotatably coupled to the attachment portion forrotating the rod.
 17. A method of using a surgical instrumentcomprising: preparing a canal along a longitudinal axis of a bone,wherein the longitudinal axis is disposed on a first plane and a secondplane, wherein the first plane and the second plane are perpendicular toeach other, and wherein the canal is bowed along a plane which isco-planar with the second plane; and inserting an elongated rod into thecanal, wherein the rod is resiliently flexible along the second planewhich is co-planar with the bowed canal plane and which is disposed onthe longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the first plane; and bendingthe rod when at least a portion of the rod is inserted into the canal,the rod bends along the second plane of the canal such that the rodsubstantially conforms to the curved shape of the canal along the secondplane of the canal.
 18. The surgical method of claim 17, furthercomprising attaching the tool to one of the rod.
 19. The surgical methodof claim 17, wherein the first canal of the bone is a femoral medulla ofa femur bone of a human body.
 20. The surgical method of claim 19,wherein the first plane corresponds to a frontal or coronal plane thatseparates a human body into anterior and posterior parts and the secondplane is parallel to a sagittal plane corresponding to a median planewhich separates a human body into left and right side parts.
 21. Thesurgical method of claim 19 wherein forming the canal includes drillingthe canal along a longitudinal axis of the bone.
 22. The surgical methodof claim 19 further comprising detaching the tool from the rod andattaching a cutting block to the rod.
 23. The surgical method of claim22 further comprising making anterior, posterior, anterior-chamfer andposterior-chamfer cuts on the bone.
 24. The surgical method of claim 19wherein forming the canal includes drilling an entrance hole betweencondyles of the femur bone.
 25. The surgical method of claim 19 furthercomprising using computed tomography (CT) data to determine an optimalsagittal orientation of a femoral component for attachment to the femurbone.
 26. The surgical method of claim 25 further comprising attaching afemoral component to the femur bone.